Post his breathtaking display of fast bowling at Edgbaston, Indian pacer Akash Deep received high praise from legends across the cricket world.
Deep finished the second Test with a 10-wicket haul, helping India to a record 336-run victory on a flat Edgbaston surface.
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Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad was also in awe of the Indian pacer's excellent spell of bowling, describing it as "borderline perfect" on a challenging surface where even the English bowlers couldn't find much success.
How did Stuart Broad praise Akash Deep?
In his 'For the Love of Cricket' podcast with Jos Buttler, Broad highlighted Deep's effectiveness in targeting the stumps and generating movement, even on a pitch that offered little assistance.
He specifically noted Deep's ability to use angles and maintain accuracy is what helped him find success.
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"Akash Deep just came in wide of the crease, virtually nipping every single ball; it was awesome bowling. As a fan, I love watching brilliant bowling," Broad said.
Stuart Broad & Jos Buttler on Akash Deep ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hJjBwE86To
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"He was drawing the English batters to play at the balls that might not necessarily be there to play because he was bowling from wide of the crease, he was relentless in the areas that he hit, and I think he suited that surface," added Broad.
Broad further mentioned that Akash could well be more lethal going into the Lord's Test, with the slope coming into play at the venue. "Going to Lord's, from the Pavilion end, nipping it down the slope, it's going to suit him, and India would be much stronger with Bumrah coming in for Krishna."
How did Akash Deep outclass England bowlers at Edgbaston?
Broad remarked that Deep adapted to the conditions in Edgbaston better than England’s taller quicks like Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse.
According to Broad, "Akash Deep found something different in the surface," while England’s pacers were struggling to extract life from a "really slow and tired" pitch.
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He explained that deliveries from taller bowlers tend to lose energy when the ball is hit hard onto the deck in what was a slow surface. "When you come from such a height, it almost zaps the energy from the ball and it comes off the pitch really slowly," Broad said.
In contrast, Akash used a more skiddy approach. "If you can kiss the surface, bowl a bit shorter and not float it up there, then it doesn't have time to sink into the pitch and does everything a little bit quicker," he noted.
Broad highlighted how Akash ran wide of the crease and "virtually nipped every ball," making him far more threatening.
Will the Lord's Test decide the fate of the India vs England Test series?
With the series level at 1-1, India has been the dominating side out of the two. Indian batters, led by skipper Gill, have been brilliant throughout, and it was well accompanied by the bowlers, who managed to take 20 English wickets on a flat track in the second Test.
England, on the other hand, is in complete disarray, with many questions. England's batters have been good only in patches, while the bowlers have struggled throughout on the flat surfaces.
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With the Lord expected to offer a bowler-friendly wicket, England's approach could be interesting as they tackle a quality Indian pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah.
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